Imperial Metals Corporation (TSX:III) reports Red Chris metal production (100%) for the first quarter of 2022 was 13.3 million pounds copper and 12,088 ounces gold, compared to 14.7 million pounds copper and 13,610 ounces gold produced during the fourth quarter of 2021. Imperial’s 30% portion of the Red Chris first quarter production was 4 million pounds copper and 3,626 ounces gold.

Metal production was lower by 9.6% for copper and 11% for gold compared to the prior period primarily due to lower recoveries (72.6% versus 81.1% for copper and 51.9% compared to 59.7% for gold) and mill throughput due to unscheduled downtime of the SAG mill and winter conditions affecting the tailings line.

Progress towards block cave mining is advancing with the exploration decline at 1,225 metres as of April 20, 2022 and surface infrastructure development related to the decline is expected to be substantially complete in June 2022.   The Block Cave Feasibility Study is targeted to be completed by June 2023.

Brian Kynoch, President of Imperial, stated, “Drilling continues to expand and define the East Ridge zone, which is located immediately east of the current development area. The East Ridge zone is developing into one of the more significant zones of mineralization at Red Chris. In the context of future development, the zone is strategically located close to the current active operating area and the advancing exploration decline passes near the zone, which will allow for easier access.”

Exploration drilling at Red Chris is ongoing with up to eight drills in operation throughout the first quarter with five drills focusing on expanding the East Ridge zone and three gathering geotechnical information for infrastructure related to the development of a block cave. Drilling throughout the quarter totalled 17,543 metres.

Results from drill hole RC773 returned 256 metres grading 0.47% copper and 0.34 g/t gold from 826 metres including an interval of 54 metres of 0.89% copper and 0.82 g/t gold from 958 metres and 18 metres of 1.3% copper and 1.4 g/t gold from 994 metres. This hole also returned 24 metres from 1278 metres of 1.8% copper and 2.8 g/t gold. This hole is drilled on section line 38N, and is approximately 150 metres above hole RC740, and is the second hole to intersect the East Ridge zone mineralization on this section, which is located near the eastern edge of drilling zone to date.

Results from drill hole RC777 returned 480 metres grading 0.41% copper and 0.42 g/t gold from 1012 metres including an interval of 78 metres from 1324 metres of 0.74% copper and 0.79 g/t gold and 10 metres from 1324 metres of 1.1% copper and 1.6 g/t gold. Notable intercepts from hole RC779 include 560 metres of 0.45% copper and 0.35 g/t gold from 1216 metres including 98 metres of 0.72% copper and 0.59 g/t gold from 1502 metres and 12 metres of 1.2% copper and 1.1 g/t gold from 1542 metres. Both these holes are on section line 37N and extend the East Ridge mineralization to depth on this section, with hole RC777 located about 100 metres beneath hole RC735 and RC779 is located 100 metres beneath RC777.

Hole RC785 extended the corridor to the east, a further 100 metres beyond RC740 (previously reported), and returned the deepest significant intercept in the East Ridge which remains open at depth. Results from RC785 include 214 metres from 1,532 metres of 0.37% copper and 0.26 g/t gold, and 24 metres of 1.1% copper and 0.83 g/t gold from 1,532 metres.

Jim Miller-Tait, P.Geo., Imperial Metals Vice President Exploration, is the designated Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for the Red Chris exploration program and has reviewed this news release.  Red Chris samples for the 2021/2022 drilling reported were analysed at Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratories in Vancouver.  A full QA/QC program using blanks, standards and duplicates was completed for all diamond drilling samples submitted to the labs. Significant assay intervals reported represent apparent widths. Insufficient geological information is available to confirm the geological model and true width of significant assay intervals.

Cross section, plan view maps and drillhole data are available on imperialmetals.com.

About Imperial

Imperial is a Vancouver based exploration, mine development and operating company with holdings that include the Mount Polley mine (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), and the Red Chris mine (30%). Imperial also holds a portfolio of 23 greenfield exploration properties in British Columbia.